Physical Chemistry and the Mechanisms of Breathing

Carisma, Nikko Angelo S.

PYSCHE1 N02
11528125, BSBCHEM

Respiration and breathing are processes that are vital

for the survival of many species, especially humans
like us. In these body functions, some concepts of
physical chemistry manifest—as these invole an
interplay of gases. These functions are just some of
the many studied in physiology that play a role in the
maintenance of homeostasis within an organism. One
main concept in physical chemistry that is applied in
the study of respiratory physiology is Boyle’s Law,
which for gases state that volume in inversely
proportional to pressure. This idea of pressures then
extend themselves to the mechanisms of air flow that
occur within the respiratory system.
Figure on left, alveoli during inspiration and inspiration. Source: Widmaier E. P., Raff H., Strang K.
T. 2016. Vander's Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function. 14th. New York:
McGraw-Hill Education

The mechanism of breathing involves two complementary processes: inspiration (or inhaling) and
expiration (exhaling). Inspiration starts with the contraction of the diaphragm muscles, and others that
mainly used for breathing. This results in the expansion of the thoracic cavity and increase volume.
Because the lungs are in this thoracic cavity, it will also be affected by Boyle’s law in that the increase in
volume will induce a decrease in pressure, in particular a decrease in alveolar pressure to
subatmospheric levels. This creates a pressure gradient between the lungs and the outside environment,
and air flows inward the lungs, moving from an area of higher pressure (the atmosphere) to an area of
lower pressure (the lungs). In contrast to this, expiration follows a complementary mechanism: muscles
of breathing relax, compressing the thoracic cavity and reducing volume. This reduction in volume
induces an increase in pressure, and a pressure gradient once again occurs between the lungs and the
outside environment: with alveolar pressures higher than atmospheric levels. Air then flows outward from
the lungs, and expiration occurs.

In addition to this, since alveoli are also anatomical sacs where gas exchange occurs, they are also
affected by Boyle’s Law: increases in pressure induce a decrease in volume, and a decrease of pressure
induces an increase in volume. However, this occurs to an extent that may harm the alveoli, so alveolar
cells, in particular Type II alveolar cells, produce substances called surfactants to improve this
mechanism. Surfactants have unique properties that allow them lower surface tension, this improves lung
compliance—or its ability to stretch and respond to changes in volume and pressure, and allows for better,
easier breathing. A clinical correlation that may rise from the mechanism comes from a condition called
IRDS, or infant respiratory distress syndrome, where Type II alveolar cells are not mature enough to
produce enough surfactant. This induces difficulties in breathing for infants, and is normally treated by
either stimulating the Type II cells to produce surfactant with the use of steroids, or the administration of
artificial surfactants, or for early births, infants are put on a ventilator to facilitate breathing.

One of the main tenets in the study of the human body involve the fact that our body functions are dictated
by the laws of chemistry and physics—and the respiratory system is no exception. Even something as
seemingly trivial as breathing relies on these laws and interpretations in physical chemistry for its, most
of the time, proper function.